This is the motto of a red-haired festival in a location that might surprise: Russia. The Udmurtia ethnic nation claims to have the most red hair outside Ireland.
At first thought, the idea of redheads uniting around the world was a little perplexing. What would be the purpose? Personally, would I want to be around a bunch of people like myself? I guess I relish being unique in the world. In fact it might be a little scary, the thought that our red hair might all catch on fire or a big fight might break out. Perhaps take over the world!
Places where you should encounter red hair!
Billings, Montana June 2-3, 2018
Gingerfest V in Boise, Idaho on June 8th, 2018
Redhead Days in Chicago, Illinois on July 6-8, 2018
Redheads Unite in Colorado on July 14, 2018
Celtic Festival Missoula, Montana on July 28, 2018
Irish Festival, St. Paul, Mn Aug 10-12, 2018- Good times!
Vista Viking Festival, Vista, Ca Sept. 22-23, 2018- I highly recommend this event.
Redhead Days in the Netherlands
Redhead Picnic in Dunbar West Virginia in September 2018
This is the motto of a red-haired festival in a location that might surprise: Russia. The Udmurtia ethnic nation claims to have the most red hair outside Ireland.
At first thought, the idea of redheads uniting around the world was a little perplexing. What would be the purpose? Personally, would I want to be around a bunch of people like myself? I guess I relish being unique in the world. In fact it might be a little scary, the thought that our red hair might all catch on fire or a big fight might break out. Perhaps take over the world!
Redheads are Fiery!
Eric the Red, the fierce red-haired Viking who discovered Greenland about AD 982. NB: Scan of small illustration.
When redheads are described, usually words of energy come to mind, like fiery, hot-tempered and flaming. Picture Vikings raiding seacoast villages and establishing trade routes throughout Europe. Even the country name, Russia, where Vikings sailed on the Volga River, means ‘to row.’ The Vikings traveled far and wide, from North America to the Mediterranean. Ancient redheads are known to have traveled worldwide, evidenced in the discovery of red-haired mummies found everywhere, including South America and China.
Studies have shown that redheads have a propensity for hyperactivity. An Israeli psychiatrist, Dr Michael Bar, reported that redheaded children are three to four times more likely than others to develop hyperactivity. He said, “it’s possible that the assumed national characteristics of certain ethnic groups, like the adventurousness of the Vikings and the temperament of the Irish, are connected to the high frequency of redheads among them.”
Redheads are from Mars?
Astrologers claim there is a connection between the red planet Mars and the fiery nature of people with red hair. Redheads are notorious for their well-known hot-tempered, high strung and sensitive natures. In astrology, if the planet Mars is in your charts, it has the affect of placing fiery, competitive and almost explosive tendencies into your behavior.
So if you are a redhead with many interests, ie ‘too many irons in the fire,’ don’t worry, it’s a redhead thing.
Places where you should encounter red hair!
Billings, Montana June 2-3, 2018
Gingerfest V in Boise, Idaho on June 8th, 2018
Redhead Days in Chicago, Illinois on July 6-8, 2018
Growing up as the red-haired stepchild, literally, was tough. My own mom didn’t even like me. Neither of my parents had red hair. Getting called carrot top was the norm and it sucked. I would get blamed for everything and I was treated as a bad child even though I was a good. Other parents, teachers, priests, I guess people of authority looked down on me. I remember getting kicked out of class anytime someone talked to me. I spent most of the year in my desk in the hall looking in through the door. I became good friends with the principal.
The allergies started when I was 13 and they only worsened until I discovered that they were caused by milk and wheat. Acupuncture was the best treatment of all. In addition, I have a sensitive digestive system, its called irritable bowel syndrome now. They did not have a label for attention deficit disorder back when I was growing up. Good thing as I would not want to be put on any mental medication. Who knows what that would have done? I would spend the whole day mesmerized on the first day of snow. Every time I went to the dentist, I would really get high on the laughing gas although the drilling was still painful. I talk to people who never feel any pain at the dentist. Must be nice.
The negative attention stopped when I let my hair grow out. Everyone thinks I look like Sammy Hagar. He can’t look that bad. Maybe all redheads are related. Strangely, I find red haired women attractive, but have never wanted to date one. I wonder if its genetic. I love the exotic type.
I began to notice that other people liked to tell me their problems. I was watching a Dr Who episode where the Amazon lady states, “When you get a cut, look for the man with the most scars.” I guess that relates to me. Being a redhead makes you somewhat jaded and tough. I have the most wry sense of humor and its helped me stay mentally afloat. In my ’30’s I began to have shamanic experiences and have since been on a spiritual journey in that direction. Must have been the laughing gas. Yes I do feel like I am from another planet because I just can’t get over all this need for the material satisfaction. Personally I love to be in the mountains surrounded by large pine trees in the whispering winds with a spring of bubbling water nearby or by ocean watching the endless waves as the setting sun simmers and shimmers.
People with red hair have many different traits than the general population. I wanted to list my traits and see how they compare to other redheads. Here goes:
ADD/ADHD
It is so funny watching myself getting so crazy and all over the place making this website
Curly locks
Allergies
Fiery
Food sensitivities
Search for deeper answers
Blushing
Empath
Burn easy in the sun
I think is related to ability to produce Vitamin D
I don’t think I am affected by SAD-seasonal affected disorder-as much as others because I like all kinds of weather- or maybe I am
High sex energy
Attuned senses
ESP
Some intelligence
Get a lot of attention- good and bad
Yeah, gingerism is real, I prefer the good attention
Do not like following the rules
Interested in alternative diets and medicine because the normal has not worked
A major aspect of being a red-head is our sensitivity – especially our fair, ultra-sensitive skin. I soon discovered I was hyper-allergic to almost all body care products. The artificial fragrances gave me headaches and sneezing. The harsh chemicals, synthetic colors and preservatives made my hair, skin and scalp dry up and break out. Even “natural” products were too strong for me.
For a while, I found relief using Burt’s Bees original line of aftershave and deodorant. Then they went commercial and discontinued both products. I had no choice but to make my own. After a year of experimenting, I had a perfect classic bay rum aftershave and sage deodorant that were better than the original Burt’s.
My wife and I now run the online shop Freyja’s Magic, where we offer a full line of men and women’s products made especially for red-heads! Freyja’s Magic was created to provide pure, potent body care products for people like ourselves who are sensitive to their environment. Each product is 100% natural, completely handmade and truly unique, like red-heads. We still do everything the old fashioned way, by hand in small batches. Designing, mixing, melting, pouring and labeling are all done by us. No preservatives, artificial colors or fragrances are ever used. We do not use natural fragrance oils, either, which can contain carcinogens and toxins. Only 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils scent our products, adding medicinal and aromatherapy benefits.
Freyja’s Magic Whipped Cocoa Body Butter – Yummy on your skin!
Check us out, let us know what you think, and if there is something you would like to see added to our line. We are happy to accept custom orders. If you’ve been looking for something specific, tell us and we will do our best to make it for you.
Thank you for supporting out family business, and the cause of red-heads everywhere!
25 years ago, I was delivering mail along my walking route in San Diego, when I was stopped by an elderly lady who still had striking red hair despite her age. I was about to hand over her mail when suddenly she grabbed me by the arm, looked me intently in the eye and exclaimed:
“Did you know that being a red-head makes you different from everybody else?”
“Ah, no, I didn’t know that,” I stammered, taken aback by the purposeful address.
She went on, as though passing on a secret legacy, “Did you know that you fall into a 5% category, where doctors don’t know what medications will do to you?”
I shook my long red curls “no”, but as I thought about it, I began to realize I did notice that many things affected me differently, that I was more sensitive to medications, food, my environment, and other people than the average man. From that moment I was on a quest to discover what it truly meant to be a red-head.
This quest has taken me to subjects such as the Tuatha Danaan, Red-haired Egyptian Pharoahs, and Red-haired Mummies in China to Famous Redheads such as Queen Elizabeth and Mark Twain to Environmentally Sensitive Redheads and Redheads with Magical Abilities.
This site is an invitation to all gingers to join me on that journey!